Tire-retention device and wheel rim

ABSTRACT

A well-filler of variable width for a drop-center wheel including a band for circumposing the wheel rim in the well in engagement with a plurality of segments, the fist and second ends of the band being attached to mutually engageable connectors that are adjustable for tightening the band. When the band is fitted it tightens in the well and the segments are urged in directions transverse to the direction of the band so that the width of the well-filler matches that of the well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a well-filler for retaining a tire on adrop-center wheel rim.

A common wheel design of has a rim (known as a drop-center rim) in whichthere is a comparatively narrow well which effectively reduces thediameter of the wheel all around its circumference. Such a wellfacilitates the mounting of a pneumatic tire on the wheel. Oneinextensible bead of a tire is slipped over the lip of a side flange ofthe rim and into the well and then the diametrically opposite part ofthat bead of the tire is then able to be passed over the flange and bemounted on the rim. Inflation of the tire forces the beads into theircorrect position with their feet engaged on slightly conical seatsadjacent the flanges.

A major problem with wheels with drop-center rims is that without adevice to fill the well there is a danger of the tire detaching itselfupon a loss of air pressure, for example after a puncture. One of thebeads may slip into the well and the mounting procedure for the tire beeffectively reversed. This loss of concentricity involves loss ofcontrol, and is dangerous if it happens on a vehicle travelling at highspeed.

Band devices for filling wheel wells are known. However, well-fillers ofcurrent designs have to be made individually for different types ofwheel of different diameter and especially for wells of differenteffective widths. None of the known well-fillers is adjustable in width.In addition, current designs have to be made in different materials tosuit steel and alloy wheels the properties of which vary differentlywith temperature and load changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a well-filler ofvariable width for a well of a drop-center wheel rim, the well-fillerhaving a band for circumposing the rim in the well in engagement with aplurality of obstructor segments, and mutually engageable connectormeans at first and second ends of the band, the connector means beingadjustable for tightening of the band in the well around the rim,engagement of the band with the segments being such that when the bandis tightened in the well of a wheel rim the segments are urged indirections transverse to the band so that the width of the well-fillermatches that of the well.

Preferably, the band extends through a channel in a body portion of eachsegment, the channel having an engagement surface to engage with acorresponding surface of the band, the engagement and correspondingsurfaces being angled such that tightening of the band around the rimcauses the segment support to be urged in a direction transverse to theband axis. The engagement surface on the band is preferably one of apair of equally-inclined surfaces forming a V-shape in cross-section;these may respectively engage with an inclined engagement surface of thesegments which is one of a pair of surfaces forming an equally inclinedV-shape in cross-section.

Preferably, the segments are arranged so that alternate ones are urgedtowards opposite transverse directions. The segments may besubstantially identical to each other but be oriented in opposite sensesto achieve relative motion in opposite directions.

Preferably the obstructor segments are flexible so that they may curveto follow the arc of the band around the rim.

The connector means may be pivotally attached at the ends of the bandand the position of their attachment to the band may be varied. Thisgives accommodation to the diameter of the wheel to which the device isto be applied. The connector means may be mutually engaged via a sockethead screw and locking nut. The attachment of the connector means at theends of the band then facilitates location of the screw in the nut.

In an alternative embodiment the band has a slot to receive a cable.When the slot is on an outer peripheral surface of the band it should beof sufficient depth so that the cable does not protrude from the band.At first and second ends of the cable, mutually engageable connectormeans may be rotatably attached, and the position of the connector meanson the cable may be variable to provide a band whose length isadjustable according to the circumference of the well to which it isgoing to fit.

Preferably the connector means are provided with a shaped base portionto fit in the bottom of the channel in the end segments. This assiststhe correct alignment of the connector means, both during fitting anduse, and stabilizes the ends of the band in use.

In a preferred embodiment, a top portion of the obstructor segmentsadjacent the connector means is absent to expose the bottom of thechannel and further accommodate the connector means if they are toolarge to fit inside the channel as well as to facilitate fitting andremoval of the well filler band.

Preferably, the connector means are such that once they are engaged andthe band is tightened there is enough clearance between them for thevalve of a tubed tire to protrude into the wheel well.

The connector means should desirably have no sharp edges or protrusionsso that the well-filler is suitable for use with tubed and tubelesstires.

Preferably the device has alignment means to keep the segments incircumferential alignment on the band prior to tightening of the band. Aprotrusion on the segments may be engageable with a recess or groove inthe band for this purpose. Alternatively, a protrusion on the band maybe engageable with a recess or groove in the segments. Preferably thealignment means disengage automatically when the band is tightened. Eachsegment may have a hole through which tool may be inserted to facilitatedisengagement of the alignment means. The tool may be a screwdriver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a well-filler which is a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the band seen in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sections through the band on lines 3--3 and4--4 of FIG. 2 respectively;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show connectors of the embodiment from above and from theside respectively;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through a drop-center wheel rim and theembodiment of a well-filler positioned in the well of the rim;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective cross-sectional elevation of a wheel rim anda well-filler which is a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section through the second embodiment with anobstructor segment and band alignment means;

FIG. 10 is a plan partial view of adjacent ends of the band and theconnector means with the top portion absent;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a connector in a variant of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 shows the end view of the connector in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the complete connector and cable;

FIG. 14 shows the connector of FIG. 13 in an alternative condition;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the end portion of an obstructorsegment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows a fixing bolt, locking nut and rollers; and

FIG. 17 shows a roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1-7, a well-filler according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, has a band 1 obstructor segments 2 and connector means 3 and4. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show that the band has a pair of engagement surfaces5 and 6 forming a V-shape in cross-section, with the V-shape beingbroader in a region at an end of the band than at a point between endregions.

In use, a well-filler is placed around a drop-center wheel rim 10 inwell 11 of the rim. Connector means 3 and 4 are engaged and the bandtightened. FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through a rim 10 with awell-filler in position in the well 11.

Band 1 extends through channel 12. Inclined surface 5 of the band is insliding engagement with corresponding surface 7 of the channel so thatforce in the dissection of arrow X due to the tightening of the band 1causes obstructor segment 2 to be urged in the direction of arrow Ytransverse to the band 1. The obstructor segments 2 and 2' are identicalbut are oriented in opposite senses so that they are urged in oppositedirections on tightening of the band 1. Force in the direction of arrowX due to tightening of the band 1 causes obstructor segment 2' to beurged in the direction of arrow Z. Alternate segments around the rim 10are oriented so as to be urged in opposite directions towards oppositesides of the well 11.

Tightening of the band then causes the well-filler to expand width-wiseuntil its width matches that of the well 11.

FIGS. 5 and 6 shows that the connector means 3 and 4 are pivotallyattached at the ends of the band 1 by pins 13. The connector means 3 and4 have several holes 14 through which a pin 13 may pass so that theposition of attachment of the connector means 3 and 4 may be variedaccording to the diameter of the wheel to which the well-filler is to beapplied. Connector 4 holds a socket cap screw 15 which engages with"Nylock" locking nut 16 contained in connector 3. The connector means 3and 4 are moulded with no sharp edges or protrusions so that thewell-filler is suitable for use with tubed and tubeless tires.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a well-filler according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention which includes alignment means to keep obstructorsegments 22 in alignment on the band 21 prior to tightening. Thealignment means comprises a protrusion 23 on the segments 22 which isengageable with a slot 24 on the band 21. FIG. 8 shows the well-fillerin the well 11 of rim 10 after tightening of the band 21. Segments 22are urged transversely to the band 21 so that the width of thewell-filler matches that of the well. Alternate segments 22 are urged inopposite directions towards opposite sides of the well 11. Gaps betweenthe segments and sides of the well away from which they have moved aretoo narrow and cover too little of the circumference of the rim 1 for atire to fall into them. Any forge from a tire bead falling even slightlyinto a gap will only push the associated segment harder into theopposite side of the well, so a segment cannot be dislodged by such aforce. FIG. 9 shows the alignment means of band 21 and a segment 22engaged prior to tightening of the band 21. In this embodiment, thesegments have a hole 25 for insertion of a tool to facilitatedisengagement of the alignment means on tightening of the band 21. Theband 21 has bevelled surfaces 26 for engagement with a tool for thispurpose.

FIG. 10 shows a partial plan view of adjacent ends 27,28 of a secondembodiment of band 1' and connector means 30,40. The connector means30,40 are attached to a cable 31, which is itself received in a slot 20along the length of the band 1'. The connector means 30,40 are providedwith rollers 32,33 which are rotatably received in said connector means30,40 at right angles to the direction of the band 1' and have aperturesto allow a fixing bolt 35 to pass through and secure the band 1' bymeans of a locking nut 34. The rollers 32,33 allow the fixing bolt 35 toarticulate to compensate for the curvature of the drop center wheel rim10.

The connector means 30,40 are provided with a V-shaped base 36 at thesame inclination as the base 42 of the channel 12 through the obstructorsegment 22. This helps to stabilize the connector means 30,40 in thebase 42 of the channel 12 and allows free access to the connector means30,40 for fitting and removal.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show respectively a perspective and an end view of theconnector means 30,40. The V-shaped base 36 stabilizes the connectormeans 30,40 in the Base of the channel 12. FIG. 15 shows how a topportion of an obstructor segment 22 can be absent, exposing the channel12 underneath. This permits the connector means 30,40 to be stabilizedin the base 42 of the channel 12 and assists the correct alignment ofthe connector means 30,40 both during fitting and use.

The cable 31 is received in a slot 43 in the connector means 30,40 andretained there by an end stop 44. The roller 32 is rotatably received inthe connecting means 30,40 at right angles to the direction of the wellfiller band 1'. The fixing bolt 35 is pivotally retained in the aperture48 in the curved face of the roller 32, to allow the connector means30,40 to articulate to fit the curvature of the well 11.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of the connector means 30,40 andcable 31. The cable 31 is provided with several stops 44,45 and so thelength of the cable 31 can be varied by selecting the appropriate stop44,45 for abutment against the connector end, to fit wheel rims ofdifferent circumference.

FIG. 16 shows the locking nut 34 and fixing bolt 35 used to secure thewell filler band, together with rollers 32 to fit the connecting means30,40. The locking nut 34 is fixed in position in a recess 50 in theroller 32,33 allowing the fixing bolt 35 to be adjusted with an allenkey. FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the roller 32,33 with anaperture and cutaway portion or recess 50 to receive a nut 34.

Well-fillers according to the present invention will retain a tire on adrop-center rim after loss of air pressure in the tire. They aresuitable for use with tubed and tubeless tires, on steel and alloywheels and are adjustable to fit a wide range of diameters of wheel andwidth of well. Unlike conventional well-fillers, they adjust to fit therim to which they are applied.

Normal tire fitter's lubricant may be applied to the base of the wheelwell prior to fitting of the well-filler to facilitate the motion of theobstructor segments as the band is tightened. Normal water and vegetablebased tire fitter's lubricant evaporates quickly so this will notincrease the likelihood of slippage of the well-filler in service.

I claim:
 1. A well-filler of variable width for a well of a drop centerwheel rim, comprising: a band having first and second ends, said bandcircumposing the rim in the well; a plurality of obstructor segmentsarranged side by side along the band and being in engagement with saidband for sliding movement in a transverse direction relative thereto;and mutually engageable connector means attached at said first andsecond ends of said band, said connector means being adjustable fortightening of said band in the well around the rim, whereinengagement ofsaid band with said segments is such that when said band is tightened inthe well of a wheel rim some of said segments are moved in onetransverse direction to said band and others of said segments are movedin an opposite transverse direction so that the width of the well-fillermatches that of the well.
 2. A well-filler according to claim 1, whereineach segment has a body portion with a channel said band extends throughthe channel in the body portion of each segment, the channel having anengagement surface to engage the corresponding surface of said band,said surfaces being angled such that the tightening of said band aroundthe rim causes said segments to be urged in directions transverse tosaid band.
 3. A well-filler according to claim 2, wherein the engagementsurfaces of both said band and segments are a pair of equally inclinedsurfaces forming a V-shape in cross section.
 4. A well-filler accordingto claim 1, wherein said segments are flexible to follow the arc of saidband around the wheel rim.
 5. A well-filler according to claim 1,wherein said connector means are pivotally attached to the ends of saidband.
 6. A well-filler according to claim 1, wherein the effectivelength of said band is variable by changing the position of theconnector means on said band.
 7. A well-filler according to claim 1,further comprising: a socket head screw and a locking nut wherein theconnector means are mutually engaged by said socket head screw andlocking nut the, said screw having a socket head so that it can berotated by an angled driving member fitted in the socket, the nut beingrestrained from rotation by said connector means.
 8. A well-filleraccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cable having a first andsecond end, wherein said band has a slot to receive said cable, thefirst and second ends of said cable being attached to respective ends ofmutually engageable connector means such that said cable may betightened by said connector means to tighten said band in the well.
 9. Awell-filler according to claim 8, wherein said connector means have ashaped base portion to align and stabilize said connector means in saidsegments.
 10. A well-filler according to claim 1, further comprising:alignment means, and wherein said alignment means retain said segmentsagainst sliding movement in a transverse direction relative to said bandprior to tightening said band.
 11. A well-filler according to claim 10,wherein said alignment means include a groove on one of said segments orband and a protrusion on the other.
 12. A well-filler according to claim10, wherein said alignment means include a groove on said band and aprotrusion on the other.
 13. A well-filler according to claims 10, 11 or12, wherein said segments have a hole on their outer peripheral surfaceto facilitate disengagement of said alignment means.